LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, Georgia — The Belhaven University softball team swept Covenant in a doubleheader Saturday, winning 10-2 in both games. The Blazers demonstrated balanced offense and solid pitching in their victory.
In the first game, Belhaven scored early, with Melissa Lopera singling and scoring on an RBI single by Maryanna Guy in the first inning. Covenant responded with a run in the bottom half but the Blazers answered quickly, breaking open the game in the second inning with a three-run burst. Maddie Keller doubled to drive in a run, and Reagan Bryan followed with a two-run single, pushing the lead to 4-1.
Belhaven continued to extend its lead, with Ellie Williamson doubling and scoring on a sacrifice fly from Lauren Dunbar in the third. Covenant trimmed the deficit to 5-2 in the third but was held off the rest of the way. The Blazers added a run in the fourth, and exploded for four more in the sixth, highlighted by Liberty Gillihan’s solo home run and back-to-back doubles from Bruner and Wainwright.
Karley Rouse pitched through early traffic in the first inning before Macy Funderburk took over, allowing just one hit over 3.1 scoreless innings and striking out six to secure the win. Belhaven totaled 17 hits in the game, with Lopera collecting four and Bruner three, each scoring three times.
The second game saw the Blazers jump ahead early. Reagan Bryan stole second and scored on a two-run homer by Guy in the first inning. Covenant answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning, but Funderburk settled in, retiring the final batter of the inning and keeping the game tied.
Belhaven regained the lead in the second, with Lauren Dunbar hitting a solo shot. The Blazers added to their advantage in the third and fourth innings, with RBI hits from Williamson and Lopera. In the sixth, Belhaven scored three runs, highlighted by Williamson’s RBI double and Gillihan’s run-scoring single.
Funderburk continued her dominant relief effort, allowing just one hit over 5.1 scoreless innings and striking out four. She retired 16 of the final 17 batters faced, cementing the victory. Belhaven will host Millsaps for the second game of the Riverside Rivalry next Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Follow @BelhavenBlazers on X and Instagram, and like Belhaven Athletics on Facebook for updates. Supporters can also visit Team Green Giving to contribute to the program.
